My boss calls this "american style" Add semi-negative tone to that quote. When she refers to "american style" it's usually a negative thing. Almost sounds derogatory coming from her.
There are many things I have taken for granted in American culture, which are in fact NOT universally practiced. This is an interesting experience, to say the least.
Personal space/privacy is a big one. I've visited latino/hispanic cultures (Mexico, and subcultures in the US) so I am familiar with pretty close range physical relationships which are typical in those communities.
It's not just physical space here. It's general privacy. Privacy just doesn't exist.
From people barging into my apartment while i'm sleeping to clean for me, to being told how I ought to manage my life- privacy is just a "foreign" concept here. ;)
If someone has a problem with you, they say it to your face. If they don't like you they tell you. If they want to know something, they ask- there is no fear of prying! Quite humorous at times. American social etiquette has not taught me to be used to in depth private questioning about my specific choices and how I made them and why.
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